Anger Alert
What is a trigger? Give one example from school.
Something that causes an emotional reaction, such as being insulted or blamed.
Name two physical signs that someone might be getting angry.
Clenched fists, hot face, fast heartbeat, tight jaw, etc.
Name one healthy way to calm down when you're angry.
Deep breathing, taking a break, walking, drawing, talking to someone, etc.
What does it mean to tell a lie?
To intentionally say something you know is untrue in order to mislead someone.
Someone takes your pencil without asking. What is one respectful thing you could say?
'Can I please have my pencil back?'
What is the difference between feeling angry and acting angry?
Feeling angry is an emotion; acting angry is how you choose to respond.
Which body part might experience butterflies or nausea when you're upset?
The Stomach
Why might walking away from an argument be a smart choice?
It gives you time to calm down and prevents escalation.
What is the difference between lying and making a mistake?
Lying involves intentionally misleading someone; a mistake is not intentional.
You lose a game and the winner starts bragging. What could you do instead of insulting them?
Walk away, congratulate them, or use a calming strategy.
What is the difference between a trigger and a warning sign?
A trigger is something that makes you upset. A warning sign is how your body or mind reacts when you're getting upset.
Someone's heart is racing, their jaw is tight, and their fists are clenched. What might their body be telling them?
They are becoming emotionally activated and may need to calm down.
Your teacher embarrasses you by correcting you in front of everyone. Name a helpful response.
Take a breath, avoid reacting immediately, or speak privately with the teacher later.
Why might someone lie even when they know it's wrong?
To avoid consequences, gain approval, avoid embarrassment, protect themselves, etc.
You find out a classmate is spreading a false rumor about you. What are two ways to handle it without making things worse?
Avoid retaliation, calmly address it, seek support from an adult, or correct misinformation.
Why is it easier to prevent an explosion during the warning-sign stage than during the explosion stage?
Because anger is less intense, making it easier to think clearly and choose a coping strategy.
Why might someone notice they're upset physically before realizing it mentally?
Physical stress responses can happen before someone consciously identifies the emotion.
Why might repeatedly thinking 'This is so unfair!' make it harder to calm down?
It can intensify anger and keep the person focused on the upsetting situation.
Your friend lies to you and later admits the truth. What are two things they can do to rebuild your trust?
Take responsibility, apologize sincerely, tell the truth consistently, and change their behavior.
Your friend asks you to lie to a teacher to keep them out of trouble. What should you do, and why?
Decline to lie, explain that honesty matters, and encourage your friend to take responsibility.
What are the five stages of anger, in order?
Trigger → Warning Signs → Escalation → Explosion → Recovery.
Two students experience the same upsetting situation, but one cries and the other clenches their fists. What does this teach us about warning signs?
People experience and express emotions differently; recognizing your own warning signs matters.
Someone says something rude to you, and you feel like yelling back. Explain two things you could do to stop yourself from losing control.
Notice your warning signs, pause and take deep breaths, then choose a helpful response like walking away or calmly telling them to stop.
Someone lies to avoid getting in trouble, but the lie is discovered. Explain how the lie might create a bigger problem than the original mistake.
It can damage trust, create additional consequences, and make others question future honesty.
Your friend tells you a rumor about another student and asks you to spread it. You don't know whether it's true. What should you do, and why?
Don't spread it because it could be false, hurt someone's feelings, and damage their reputation.